Longford-Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke raised the case in the Dáil yesterday.

Councillor Maeve Reynolds, from Fine Gael, says a new footbridge is the only acceptable solution.

Senator Gareth Scahill says the HSE recently told him four Roscommon dentists provide a service for medical-card holders.

The figures have been released in a reply by the HSE to a parliamentary question by local Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny.

Former councillor Michael McGreal, from Ballinlough, Castleplunkett's Ruth Connolly-Conboy, Ballintubber's Maria McCahill and Roscommon town's Robbie McConn are in the hat.

Due to low seasonal rainfall, the River Shannon and the River Erne are lower than usual for this time of the year.

She has been selected by the village to take his seat, but councillors will have the final say.

When contacted, Mr Murphy said: "I will only look for a nomination if Ballintubber don't have a candidate."